(C) Daily Kos
This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered.
. . . . . . . . . .
Kitchen Table Kibitzing: Good Neighbors [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-03-27
The honeymoon period is over.
For the past three months, the upstairs unit has been empty, leaving behind cherished peace and quiet when the lapsed alcoholic moved away. I have so enjoyed not having to worry that much about Aggie’s barking or having the tv on too loud, or the sound of the heater turning on and off. Yesterday, just before 5, heavy footsteps above me signaled the arrival of the new tenants and the end of this blissful period of living alone in this duplex. Unfortunately, the soundproofing between the two units is non existent, making it necessary to play music or have the tv on to blunt the noise level. I’m concerned now about Aggie barking up at the newcomers when they hang out on their deck. I’m also concerned about how loud they will play their music and tv, if they’ll have a tv in the bedroom above me.
Noisy neighbors are my biggest concern, having just lived through the experience of living beneath an alcoholic who relapsed and would leave his music blaring well into the wee hours of the morning.
Move in day was yesterday. Word from my next door neighbor is that its two people with two small dogs. So far, my biggest complaint is the movie they watched last night which was quite loud. But the noise ceased around 10.
Didn’t think it was a good idea to have my meditation music playing beside me in the bedroom so I slept in my noise cancelling headphones. Slept until 6:45 and they were up showering at 7 so i really don’t have much to complain about.
Did some research and came across 13 tips on dealing with noisy neighbors. TIps range from talking it out with the neighbor or soundproofing your living space with bookshelves, soft furnishings like wall tapestries or rugs to taking the issue up with the landlord or rental agency and checking on local sound ordinances. I wouldn’t want to do the later suggestions because I do have a dog that barks when people come into the yard or when she gets excited so I kind of already have a strike against me.
So what experiences have you had dealing with neighbors and what’s worked for you as a way to keep things syncopated and copacetic?
NPR offers some advice on being a good neighbor:
It can feel so easy to just go home, close your door and turn on the TV without having to make small talk, but connecting with others is worth the effort. As nerve-wracking as it is, reaching out to new people can actually boost your mood in the long run. According to an article by Emma Seppälä, "social connectedness ... generates a positive feedback loop of social, emotional and physical well-being." Loggins shares that after a recent move, his new neighbors helped him and his family feel welcome by making sure that his family had things set up. He emphasizes that it doesn't take a lot of money or a grand gesture to be an active neighbor. "You don't have to show up with a fresh apple pie or anything like that," he says. It's truly as simple as saying hello, introducing yourself and asking an open-ended question.
We have over a week until the Hands Off demonstrations, enough time for you to sign on to one or create your own.
x 🚨 HANDS OFF! Mass mobilization scheduled for April 5th. Find an event near you at the link - or organize one of your own! HANDS OFF Public Ed!
HANDS OFF our Health Care!
HANDS OFF Soc Security!
HANDS OFF our Courts!
HANDS OFF the VA!
HANDS OFF NOAA!
HANDS OFF our Democracy! handsoff2025.com
[image or embed] — Bren (@kindofnerdy.bsky.social) March 23, 2025 at 9:09 AM
[END]
---
[1] Url:
https://dailykos.com/stories/2025/3/27/2312486/-Kitchen-Table-Kibitzing-Good-Neighbors?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web
Published and (C) by Daily Kos
Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified.
via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds:
gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/
